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Floor Speech

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Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I have to first note--and I appreciate so much Senator Carper's comments--but from the smallest State that claims agriculture to our distinguished Presiding Officer from the largest State that has agriculture, to my State of Michigan, which is second only to California in the diversity of crops that we grow, I think we all stand here committed to the importance of growing things in America, this economic engine, supporting small towns, supporting rural development and quality of life.

So I am really pleased, as chair of the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, today, to know that we will be confirming Xochitl Torres Small as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Ms. Torres Small's impressive and wide-ranging resume makes her an ideal appointee to help lead the more than 100,000 public servants at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and they are stationed in over 4,500 locations all across the country and all across the world.

Her predecessor in this role, Jewel Bronaugh, was instrumental in helping to restore one of the Department's key functions: serving our constituents on the ground in the communities in which they work, live, and farm. A trailblazer like Ms. Torres Small, Ms. Bronaugh was the first woman of color to hold the Deputy position at the USDA, and we very much appreciated her leadership. I have every confidence that Ms. Torres Small is up to the important task and will lead with great skill and competence.

The granddaughter of farm workers, Ms. Torres Small grew up in the borderlands of New Mexico. She began her career working for Senator Tom Udall, clerking for a U.S. district court judge, and practicing water and natural resources law.

Ms. Torres Small was the first woman and first person of color to represent New Mexico's Second Congressional District, which is the fifth largest district in the country.

She has most recently served as the Under Secretary for Rural Development, a position to which she was confirmed unanimously by the Senate just 2 years ago. As Under Secretary, Ms. Torres Small proved herself to be a staunch advocate for rural communities.

It was through her leadership that USDA Rural Development secured $2 billion to support rural broadband through the bipartisan infrastructure law, making USDA the first Federal Agency to invest these funds in physical infrastructure for high-speed internet. I want to stress that they were the first dollars out the door in terms of taking dollars to small communities across the country for critically needed high-speed internet. By moving swiftly to make rural development funding available, USDA reduced energy costs for farmers and small businesses.

Last year, Congress made the largest investment in rural electric since the New Deal. Under Ms. Torres Small's stewardship, USDA has been a leader in delivering those benefits to our local communities. She worked tirelessly to increase rural communities' access to programs and improve customer services at regional offices across the country. And, importantly, she championed USDA's workforce, improving staff morale and building out data and technology.

Ms. Torres Small enjoys broad support from over 80 stakeholders, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Grocers Association, Western Growers, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, U.S. Apple Association, the Rice Association, and on and on, as well as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

I am also pleased that Ms. Torres Small enjoys broad support in this Chamber, and she was advanced unanimously out of our committee.

The role of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is not only critical to overseeing the Department's efforts to improve its workforce but also improving customer service, which I know she is laser-focused on. The Deputy Secretary position is also vital to our work as we continue to draft a bipartisan farm bill.

Ms. Torres Small's confirmation is a great opportunity for the Senate to show that we can work together in a bipartisan manner.

Ms. Torres Small has a proven track record as a strong leader with deep knowledge of farm, food, and rural policy. I know she will serve the Department and the American people well in her new position, and I urge my colleagues to support her confirmation.

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